Waitress is a musical with music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles and a book by Jessie Nelson, adapted from Adrienne Shelly's 2007 film. It premiered in 2015 at the American Repertory Theatre before transferring to Broadway in 2016, where it ran until 2020 and became the longest-running show at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. The production earned multiple awards, including four Tony Award nominations and a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theatre Album. Following its initial Broadway run, the show returned for a limited engagement in 2021, led by Bareilles herself, which was filmed and later released. On this side of the pond, Waitress opened in the West End at the Adelphi Theatre in 2019, starring Katharine McPhee. Now, Waitress is heading out on a brand-new UK tour for its tenth anniversary, with beloved British theatre star Carrie Hope Fletcher taking on the role of Jenna - ready to serve up something pretty special.
Set in a small American town, Waitress follows Jenna, a gifted pie-maker who dreams of some happiness in her life. When a hot new doctor arrives in town, life gets complicated. With the support of her workmates Becky and Dawn, Jenna overcomes the challenges she faces and finds that laughter, love and friendship can provide the perfect recipe for happiness.
For this UK and Ireland tour, Carrie Hope Fletcher as Jenna, Sandra Marvin as Becky, Evelyn Hoskins as Dawn, Les Dennis as Old Joe, Dan Partridge as Dr Pomatter, Mark Anderson as Ogie, Mark Willshire as Earl, and Dan O'Brien as Cal.
As our leading lady Jenna, Carrie Hope Fletcher is resplendent. Her grounded, believable character work allows her to tell Jenna's story with sincerity and relatability, while her pitch-perfect vocals elevate the performance, culminating in a stunning She Used To Be Mine in Act Two. This is Carrie at her very best — brava! As her love interest, Dr Pomatter, Dan Partridge is every bit the neurotic, endearingly awkward romantic we hope for, and their duet Bad Idea stands out as an early Act One highlight. Comedian Les Dennis is a delightful Old Joe, with Take It From An Old Man providing a particularly sweet Act Two moment. Dan O'Brien delivers a hilarious turn as Cal, while Mark Willshire proves chillingly menacing in the role, bringing a darker edge to the villain. Sandra Marvin delivered a brilliant performance as the self-assured Becky, blending razor-sharp wit with warmth and charisma. Her portrayal was full of heart, and her impeccable comic timing shone throughout. Her rendition of I Didn't Plan It was a true powerhouse moment that brought the house down. As Dawn, Evelyn Hoskins was phenomenal, making every moment on stage count. Her blend of exceptional character acting and powerful vocals brought warmth, humour and authenticity to the role. Her When He Sees Me was an early Act One standout, delivered with clarity, charm and heartfelt sincerity. As Dawn's love interest, Ogie, Mark Anderson stole every scene he was in, delivering a gloriously offbeat performance brimming with eccentric charm and impeccable comic timing. His Never Ever Getting Rid Of Me was a riotous highlight, earning some of the biggest laughs of the night.
If you've seen Waitress before, all the familiar aspects remain: Scott Pask's brilliant set design, the onstage band, Suttirat Anne Larlarb's costume design and Diane Paulu's original direction. What this new tour does so brilliantly is honour that original creative vision while performances retain the warmth and authenticity that have made Waitress such a beloved musical. In many ways, this new tour feels like an invitation. A chance to rediscover the show or fall in love with it for the first time, no matter where you are in the country. By bringing Waitress to regional venues, the tour offers a fresh opportunity for audiences to experience the story in a way that feel immediate and personal, right on their doorstep.
This Carrie Hope Fletcher–led tour of Waitress is an absolute triumph, combining heart with humour that anchors the entire production. It is currently playing at the New Wimbledon Theatre, where audiences can catch it until 4th April before it continues its journey across the country. If you have the chance, this is one of those productions that simply shouldn't be missed. Whether you're a long-time fan of the show or discovering Jenna's story for the first time, this touring production of Waitress is deeply moving, uplifting and deserves to be seen.
Tickets: here.
Review: Stuart James